Chapter 4

The birthday party was held at the Hayes Grand Hotel, the crown jewel of the Hayes hospitality portfolio.

I stepped out of a yellow cab dressed in a simple casual jacket and jeans, looking completely out of place among the sea of limousines and tuxedos.

At the entrance, two burly security guards blocked my path.

"Invitation, sir."

The head of security was a familiar face from the old Hayes estate.

Back then, every time he saw me, he would bow at a ninety-degree angle, groveling and calling me "Mr. Hayes."

Now, he tapped his baton against his palm, looking me up and down with sneering contempt.

"I don't have an invite," I said calmly. "Chloe asked me to come."

The guard snorted.

"Miss Chloe would invite someone like you? Who do you think you are?"

"You're an ungrateful crook. If it weren't for Miss Chloe’s kindness, you'd be behind bars by now."

"Don't cause trouble here. Beat it, or we'll throw you out on the street!"

Another younger guard chimed in, "Seriously. Look at yourself in the mirror. The red carpet you're standing on costs more than your entire life."

Several arriving guests paused their conversations, whispering and pointing at me.

"Isn't that the disgraced imposter from the Hayes family... Julian?"

"Oh God, he actually showed his face here?"

"I always knew he had beggar blood in him. Look at him now, showing his true colors."

Right then, the glass doors opened. Carter and Chloe walked out side by side.

Carter spotted me instantly and gasped with exaggerated shock.

"Julian! What's going on? Trouble getting past the door?"

The head of security immediately bent over, flashing a greasy smile.

"Mr. Hayes, this bum doesn't have an invitation and tried to force his way in. I was just about to have him removed!"

Carter waved his hand dismissively, playing the gracious billionaire.

"No, no. A guest is a guest. Besides, this is my dear cousin we're talking about."

He walked over and clapped a heavy hand on my shoulder, his grip tightening hard enough to bruise.

"Don't mind the staff, Julian. They don't know any better."

"Come on in! Today is Leo's birthday, and my celebration for taking over Hayes Enterprises. Having you here makes it so much more special."

He practically dragged my arm as we walked into the grand ballroom, loudly announcing to the crowd:

"Ladies and gentlemen, look who decided to join us! Julian Vance!"

"Even though he's fallen on hard times, blood—well, history—matters. Let's make sure he gets one last taste of real high society!"

Inside the opulent hall, every uncle, cousin, and business partner who used to brown-nose me now actively stepped away, treating me like the plague.

Carter signaled a waiter carrying a silver tray with crystal glasses.

"Try some. Vintage '82 Lafite."

He leaned in close, his voice dropping into a razor-sharp whisper meant only for me.

"Savor it, Julian. This is the only time in your pathetic life you'll ever taste wine this expensive."

I didn't reach for the glass.

Carter didn't get mad. He just shot the waiter a discreet nod.

The waiter’s hand conveniently tilted. A full glass of deep red wine dumped straight over my head.

The cold liquid drenched my hair, soaking into my collar and the front of my shirt.

Gasps rippled through the hall, followed by bursts of mocking laughter.

Carter pulled out a silk pocket square and theatrically dabbed at my face.

"What is wrong with you?!" he barked at the waiter. "Got nervous seeing your former boss? Get out of my sight!"

He turned back to me, eyes brimming with sadistic pleasure. "You're not mad, are you, Julian? Honest mistake."

Just then, Chloe strolled over, holding Leo’s hand.

"Leo," Chloe cooed softly, "look who came to see you."

Leo peeked out from behind her dress.

When he saw me soaked in red wine, disgust twisted his small features.

"Mommy, he looks gross and dirty."

"I don't want him as my dad."

Chloe stroked his hair proudly, looking at me like I was roadkill.

"Hear that, Julian? Even a five-year-old knows how repulsive you are."

She tilted her chin up. "So, where's the birthday gift you promised my son?"

I reached into my jacket pocket in silence and pulled out a small object.

It was a hand-carved wooden bird. The craftsmanship was rough, but the wood had been rubbed smooth from years of handling.

When Leo saw it, his face flushed with rage.

"What is this piece of garbage?!"

He snatched the wooden bird from my hand and slammed it violently against the marble floor.

*Crack.*

One of the wings snapped clean off.

My chest tightened violently. Without thinking, I shouted, "Stop!"

Leo flinched at my shout, but seeing the fear in my eyes, a wicked, bratty grin spread across his face. He raised his sneaker, preparing to stomp the bird into splinters.

I lunged forward to grab it.

Carter reacted faster, kicking me hard in the side of my knee.

Pain exploded in my leg. I lost my balance and crashed heavily onto the cold floor.

Carter shouted with righteous indignation, "How dare you! You trying to hit a child?!"

A ringing sound filled my ears. My vision turned red as I stared at the broken wooden bird lying inches away.

I stretched out my arm, straining every muscle to reach it.

Just an inch away.

Then, a glittering red high-heeled shoe came down hard, grinding directly onto the back of my hand.

It was Chloe.

She drove her sharp stiletto heel into my hand, twisting her weight down as a cruel, twisted smile touched her lips.

"Get on your knees, Julian."

"Smash your forehead against the floor three times and beg me. Maybe then I'll let you have your stupid little bird back."

Agony shot up my arm, but I didn't make a sound.

I slowly raised my head, looking past her sneering face to Carter standing behind her.

Carter crouched down, watching me like a cat toying with a trapped mouse.

He reached out, violently gripping my jaw, forcing my eyes to meet his.

"Don't flatter yourself, Julian."

"Today is my day. Letting you crawl on the floor and kiss my shoes is an honor for trash like you."

His voice was thick with venomous pride.

"Remember this: I am the master of Hayes Enterprises now. I own everything. And you are absolute garbage."

He leaned in, whispering the final dagger directly into my ear.

"Oh, and one more thing I forgot to mention... Leo is my biological son."

My mind went dead blank.

A bomb went off in my skull.

I glared at Carter, gathering all my strength, and threw a punch straight toward his face.

He dodged easily.

Two private security guards instantly tackled me from behind, pinning my shoulders flat against the freezing floor.

Everything made sense now.

Why Chloe betrayed me.

Why Leo looked at me with pure hatred.

The whole damn time, I was just a blind fool raising another man's wife and another man's bastard.

Once the truth clicked into place, the blinding rage vanished. I stopped struggling, letting the guards press me into the floor.

I looked up at Carter and let out a chuckle.

"Carter, do you really think you've won?"

My laughter made Carter freeze for a fraction of a second.

Then, he threw his head back and roared with laughter.

"Haven't won? Julian, have you completely lost your mind?"

"Look at yourself right now! You look just like a stray dog pinned in the dirt!"

The crowd around us laughed along, eager to please the new billionaire.

I laughed too, harder and clearer than any of them.

Suddenly, the heavy double doors of the grand ballroom swung open with a resounding bang.

A team of men and women in tailored charcoal-black suits marched in. Leading them was Maya.

Her heels clicked sharply against the marble as she cut straight through the stunned crowd, stopping right in front of us.

She held up an official legal portfolio stamped with gold foil.

"Mr. Carter Hayes. I am the legal representative for Polaris Capital."

"As of eight o'clock this morning, Polaris Capital has officially acquired controlling interest over all business assets, voting shares, and operational management of Hayes Enterprises."

"Here are the signed resolutions and stock transfer agreements from the entire board of directors."

Carter's laughter died in his throat. The color drained from his face until he looked like a corpse.

He lunged forward, ripping the papers from Maya’s hands, his voice cracking into a panicked shriek.

"Impossible! That's a lie! This is securities fraud!"

Maya gave him a look colder than ice.

"Watch your words, Mr. Hayes. Every step of this acquisition was executed under strict regulatory compliance. If you have objections, feel free to file a lawsuit."

She paused, casting a contemptuous glance across the chaotic scene.

"Though, I highly doubt Hayes Enterprises can afford a white-collar defense team anymore."

Her eyes finally fell upon me, and the two security guards pinning my shoulders.

"Now, gentlemen," Maya’s voice dropped to a razor-sharp command, "would you mind taking your hands off the Chairman and CEO of Polaris Capital?"

Chloe's lips trembled violently. She whipped her head around, staring down at me on the floor in utter horror.

"The Chairman... is *him*?"